Josh Maja, the striker for both the Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion, expressed immense joy after netting the decisive goal in his team’s 1-0 victory over Norwich City, according to Soccernet.ng.
Earlier in the year, the 26-year-old forward endured a setback with a lower leg injury shortly after a sensational start to 2025, where he scored a hat-trick against Preston North End. This injury necessitated surgery to accelerate his recovery process.
After months on the sidelines, Maja made his comeback in August, featuring briefly for 12 minutes during West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Derby County in the EFL Cup.
After nearly ten months without a starting appearance, head coach Ryan Mason entrusted Maja to spearhead the attack against Norwich. The striker justified this faith by scoring in the 20th minute before being substituted around the 60th minute.
| GOAL, Josh Maja Gives West Brom the Lead !!!!
NORWICH CITY 0 – 1 WEST BROM #WBA #NCFC pic.twitter.com/9kwlUHeTNa
– WideFootball (@_widefootball) October 1, 2025
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Maja Sees Goal as a Catalyst for Confidence
Reflecting on his return to the starting lineup after a lengthy absence, Maja expressed gratitude and satisfaction with his performance at Carrow Road.
“Being back in the starting eleven after such a long time felt incredible,” the former Stoke City forward shared on the club’s official platform.
“I was eager to seize the opportunity, and I’m thankful to the manager for trusting me.
“Scoring the winning goal was fantastic, but securing the victory was the ultimate goal. We hope to build on this momentum.
“Finding the net is one of my key strengths, and I aim to keep contributing goals while helping the team succeed.
“I want this moment to mark the beginning of a prolific period where I score consistently, which is every striker’s ambition.”
When asked about the significance of breaking his scoring drought, the ex-Bordeaux player described the experience as exhilarating.
“It’s hard to put into words the thrill of scoring, but it’s definitely an adrenaline rush. I felt that a few times last season, and it’s great to open my account this season. It’s truly a blessing.
“We’ve had a solid start to the campaign, and I’ve been focused on regaining full fitness after my injury. For me, it’s about training hard and being ready when called upon.
“The medical and coaching staff have been phenomenal in supporting my recovery, and I’m extremely grateful to them.
“Tonight was the perfect moment to step in, score, and help the team secure the win.
“This victory is a huge morale booster because this league is tough, and winning on the road is never easy.
“We fought hard to claim these three points, which reflects the resilience within our squad,” Maja concluded.
West Brom’s head coach, Ryan Mason, also commended Maja’s dedication and perseverance, emphasizing his unwavering belief in the striker’s talent.
“I’m thrilled for Josh to have scored. He’s put in tremendous effort, and we’ve been patient with his comeback,” Mason remarked during his post-match press conference.
“Given the time he’s been out, we felt it was important to manage his return carefully, but we always knew he could influence matches.
“This goal will do wonders for his confidence and help him regain his best form.”
Ryan Mason’s playing career was cut short in 2017 due to a severe skull injury sustained in a collision with Gary Cahill. Transitioning into coaching, he took on an interim role at Tottenham Hotspur in 2021 before assuming the managerial position at West Bromwich Albion in June.